When did modern accents develop, in particular in the united states? For how long have there been regionally identifiable accents? Did George Washington etc. speak with American accents or British ones or something in the middle?

I think that George Washington and his contemporaries sounded more like the British then current day Americans.

Also I think accents (and changes in language) occur from generation to generation. This newest generation (kids 3 to 4 years old) are already saying things like Dude, man, chill, using technology related terminology that I never saw as a kid. As they grow up they will develop new vocabulary for that kind of thing. By the time they are my age I probably will not be able to understand them.

When did modern accents develop, in particular in the united states? For how long have there been regionally identifiable accents? Did George Washington etc. speak with American accents or British ones or something in the middle?

What is your accent - post a phrase to show us how it sounds!

Regional accents have been around forever. Using English as the basis, take a look at the UK. You have English, Scottish, Welsh & Irish accents. The same land mass (except Ireland), yet 4 very different variations of the same language. Then you have differences between Class & education levels - Upper & Lower, Highlands, Lowlands, Monarchs, educated etc etc - Now imagine a bunch of people thrown together from all of these backgrounds, and have them settle in a new land - US, Australia - In a very short period of time they're all mixed together, as well as the introduction of other variations from other Euro immigrants (Italians etc).

It's a constant melting pot, and it will constantly change. Accents arn't set for life. Even adults accents change when they relocate. It's just a natural adaption/progression. People speak differently now than those in their place 50 years ago, and people 50 years from now will have differing accents to the 'now' generation.

Hahahaha. I bet you adore that programme, are you friends with Ant or Deck?

I'm from Somerset, and the west country accent is one of the greatest ever conceived, but unfortunately I don't have one, I'm a bit of a posh cunt, really, so I speak properly.

Quote by DrewsGotTheLife

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I have found that the British accent isn't really an accent as much as it is proper pronunciation of the English language and use of phonetics. For example in England, the word "bait" is pronounced exactly like it is spelled, the "a" and "i" form a dipthong making a long "I" sound, this is pretty easy for learners. However in America we would pronounce that like "beit" while it is still spelled "bait" and technically should be pronounced "bite." I don't know, that is just the conclusion I came to and I could give many other examples, and of course English is far from being phonetic, but it seems British English is much more phonetic than American.

I have found that the British accent isn't really an accent as much as it is proper pronunciation of the English language and use of phonetics. For example in England, the word "bait" is pronounced exactly like it is spelled, the "a" and "i" form a dipthong making a long "I" sound, this is pretty easy for learners. However in America we would pronounce that like "beit" while it is still spelled "bait" and technically should be pronounced "bite." I don't know, that is just the conclusion I came to and I could give many other examples, and of course English is far from being phonetic, but it seems British English is much more phonetic than American.

No such thing as THE British Accent.

And, I dunno what accent I have really. It's not really Manc, and I live in Oldham anyway, which has a different accent. I'd post a clip, but I have no idea where to host it. =P

I have found that the British accent isn't really an accent as much as it is proper pronunciation of the English language and use of phonetics. For example in England, the word "bait" is pronounced exactly like it is spelled, the "a" and "i" form a dipthong making a long "I" sound, this is pretty easy for learners. However in America we would pronounce that like "beit" while it is still spelled "bait" and technically should be pronounced "bite." I don't know, that is just the conclusion I came to and I could give many other examples, and of course English is far from being phonetic, but it seems British English is much more phonetic than American.

I see what you're saying. I can't agree that one accent is phonetically correct and most others are incorrect. Seeing as whatever accent somebody has, they perceive as the right pronounciation, nobody can really be wrong.

Also, I myself am from the midwest, but don't have the typical midwest accent (which nobody in my area has).